Rangers Roundup: Brennan Othmann, Wolf Pack playoff opponent, and more
The New York Rangers are preparing for their first-round matchup against the rival New Jersey Devils which opens on Tuesday night.
As they focus on a hopefully long postseason run, their AHL affiliate the Hartford Wolf Pack just found out who they will play to begin the Calder Cup playoffs.
Let’s dive into the latest news and notes surrounding the organization.
Brennan Othmann update
Rangers’ 2021 first-round draft pick Brennan Othmann scored a huge goal yesterday to help even the Peterborough Petes’ second-round series against the Ottawa 67’s at one game each.
After recording 29 goals and 38 assists for 67 points in 56 matches split between the Flint Firebirds and Petes, he has 2 goals and 5 assists in 6 OHL playoff contests to date.
New York is eyeing Othmann closely and would immediately add him to the Wolf Pack roster for their postseason hopes if the Petes are eliminated.
Othmann, 20, is expected to compete for a roster spot at training camp next season. Regardless, he will be playing pro hockey either with the Rangers or Wolf Pack.
Wolf Pack Opponent
The Wolf Pack will open the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs against the Springfield Thunderbirds beginning Wednesday after the dust settled on the AHL season.
Hartford posted a 35-26-4-7 record for 81 points to finish 5th in the Atlantic Division. Springfield is the slight favorite coming into this series with a mark of 38-26-3-5 for 84 points.
In the 12 times they squared of this season, the Pack had plenty of trouble with the Thunderbirds going only 3-7-0-2.
- Game 1: 4/19 at Springfield
- Game 2: 4/21 at Hartford
- Game 3: 4/22 at Springfield (if needed)
2023-24 Rangers salary cap
The Rangers were facing the potential of several performance bonuses putting them over the cap by around $850,000 prior to the trade deadline. Overage on bonuses are applied to your cap hit the following season.
According to PuckPedia, the trade acquisitions of Vladimir Tarasenko and Niko Mikkola likely saved the Blueshirts around $400,000 in cap charge for next season. The additions bumped Braden Schneider and Alexis Lafreniere out of potential time on ice bonuses.
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